pung-, punc-, punct-

(Latin: pungere, punctum to strike, to hit, to punch, to pierce, to puncture, to point, to sting, to bite; a dot, a mark; a point, a sharp point, a pinpoint)

These vocabulary roots have developed a confusing family of words which, on the surface, do not seem to be related; however, the entries in this unit really are derived from the roots and the meanings that appear in the headings of this unit.

1. Closely or solidly packed with little or no extra space: The cabin was compact but it was still adequate.
2. Smaller than other things of the same kind: The camera is compact and it is still very versatile.

1. A small case in which to carry cosmetics; such as, face powder: The movie star got out her compact so she could look in the small mirror and touch up her face.
2. An automobile which is smaller than a medium sized car: In order to save gas, the couple decided to purchase a compact, replacing their larger model.
3. An agreement or a covenant: The knight swore a compact with his king to protect the kingdom.

1. The act or force of one thing hitting something else: No one could have survived such an impact of the large stone that came tumbling down that mountain onto the highway.2. The impression of something which may be compelling or significant: The impact of the discoveries of Madam Curie revolutionized science.

1. A strong feeling of uneasiness or anxiety of the conscience caused by regret or guilt for doing something wrong or causing emotional pain and suffering: Jack had a feeling of compunction when he couldn't celebrate his mother's 90th birthday with her because he had to work late in order to complete a project that he was working on.
2. Any uneasiness or hesitation about an action being proper: Wouldn't anyone have compunctions about meeting the Queen and not knowing what to wear or what to say on such an occasion?
3. A sting of conscience or a pang of doubt aroused by doing something wrong: Rodney was filled with compunction after he lied to his parents when he told them that he had done his homework for school; however, he actually spent his time reading comic magazines instead.

Compunction is a strong, sudden, and unpleasant regret or emotion of guilt.

1. An attack or a blow made by a boxer in response to an opponent's hitting him.
2. Etymology: meaning of "to hit with the fist" was first recorded 1520's, probably influenced by punish; the noun sense of "a blow with the fist" is recorded by 1570's; from Middle English punchen, "to thrust, prod; from Old French poinçonner, ponchonner, "to emboss with a punch; from poinçon, ponchon, "pointed tool"; from Latin punire, "to inflict a penalty on, to cause pain for some offense"; from earlier poenire, from poena, "penalty, punishment".

1. Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (any degenerative disease of the brain): A dementia pugilistica is a syndrome resulting from cumulative head blows absorbed in the boxing ring, which is characterized by general slowing of mental function, occasional bouts of confusion, and scattered memory loss. It may progress to the more serious boxer's dementia.
2. Dementia resulting from cumulative damage sustained over some years in boxing, resulting in slowed thinking, memory loss, dysarthria (speech that is characteristically slurred, slow, and difficult to produce; and therefore, difficult to understand), and other movement disorders: Dementia pugilistica, also called chronic traumatic encephalopathy, pugilistic Parkinson's syndrome, boxer's dementia, and punch-drunk syndrome, is a neurological disorder which affects some career boxers and others who receive multiple blows to the head.
3. A condition seen in boxers (and alcoholics), caused by repeated cerebral concussions and characterized by weakness in the lower limbs, unsteadiness of gait, slowness of muscular movements, hand tremors, hesitancy of speech, and mental dullness: The condition of dementia pugilistica develops over a period of years, with the average time of onset being about sixteen years after the start of a career in boxing.